Death Waits For No Man In 'Darksiders II'

by Jason CiprianoAugust 17, 2012 at 12:00AM
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The original Darksiders captured the imaginations of gamers with one of the darkest and most complex action games of 2010. As one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, War, you were blamed for putting an end to civilization, and players were tasked with trying to clear his name. Darksiders II explores a similar voyage, but this time it’s of another of the Horsemen, Death, as he embarks on his own journey to find out why his brother was blamed for the apocalypse. The games take place in parallel timelines that have Death doing his investigation while War is serving out the term of his imprisonment, just prior to the beginning of his game.

If you played the first game, you’ll be used to the puzzle-heavy dungeons, and combat-heavy battles. However, in Darksiders II, the developers at Vigil Games have gone bigger and better on just about all accounts. First off, Death is no War - the first game starred a slow, bruiser of a Horseman, but Death is significantly more agile, and that factors into the game’s puzzles and gameplay. On top of that, the game is just larger, expanding on the same world of War, and giving Death more locations to visit, and characters to meet. The bosses in Darksiders II are also monumental, and will put Death to the test as he tries to take them down.

One of the best things that Darksiders II has improved upon is the loot system. As Death runs around the world, trying to find out who framed his brother, he’ll collect all kinds of different goodies (armor, weapons, items, etc.) from the bad guys that he takes down. Upgrade on the fly, or take your time in the menus to perfect your Death - you’re going to need all the help you can get to make it through this game. Also, what would a Horseman be without his trusty steed? Death’s horse, Despair, is pretty badass. Just press a button and he appears. How awesome is that?

Darksiders II builds upon just about everything that was introduced in the first game, and fixes many of the gripes that gamers had for even a reasonably good game. The summer game drought is coming to an end, and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are leading the charge. If you’re looking for a solid excuse to stay inside for the last few weeks of summer, pick up Darksiders II, and spend some quality time with Death.